(Photo from NLEX Corporation)
The Class 1 vehicles, or regular cars and SUVs, will see an increase of thirty-three pesos, bringing the total toll fee to P119. Meanwhile, the charge for Class 2 vehicles or buses and small trucks will increase by P84, totaling P299. Large trucks or Class 3 vehicles will see an increase of P116, bringing their charge to P418.
The previous rates were P86 for Class 1, P215 for Class 2, and P302 for Class 3.
The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) approved the toll fee increase for the 8-kilometer stretch of the NLEx connector.
On the other hand, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) has expressed their strong opposition to the implementation of penalties for motorists who are unable to properly set up their radio frequency identification (RFID) tags or lack sufficient load, beginning in January of the following year.
"We strongly oppose the TRB's announcement that penalties for noncompliance will begin in January 2025. This move will unjustly burden motorists who are already grappling with rising living costs," according to FFW President Sonny Matula.
"Toll roads are essential for work and daily commutes, and this penalty adds unnecessary financial strain," he added.
Furthermore, Matula, who is also a lawyer, emphasized a provision in the Civil Code stating that money or legal tender should be accepted in all transactions in the country.
"Even if a motorist has cash and is ready to pay, [he] will still be penalized for not having an electronic ID. This effectively devalues our legal tender, recognized by law, making cash transactions - using currency issued by the Central Bank - subject to penalties. It's both absurd and unacceptable," Matula said.
